ArcaMax

Here are 10 tips that can save a child's life:

-- Assign a "water watcher," an adult who will keep her eyes on the water -- no texting, drinking or reading. After 20 minutes or so, switch watchers. (Download a Water Watcher Cardfor the designated watcher -- and find someone to take your place before you take your eyes off the kids.)

-- Learn CPR. This is all the more important if you are going to be onboard a ship or at a resort where there won't be lifeguards. You can even take a Red Cross class online Here is the Red Cross ready reference for pediatric CPR.

-- Because drowning happens so fast, keep young children within arm's reach of an adult at all times. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls that "touch supervision." Close supervision by a responsible adult is the best way to prevent a child from drowning, the Academy says.

-- Insist older children swim with a partner, though adults should still watch them carefully.

-- Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life jackets and can give children and parents a false sense of security.

-- Have a talk with the kids about water safety before you head out this summer. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's Pool Safely campaign has The Adventures of Splish and Splash App (available for download from the App Store or Google Play) designed to help kids learn what to do -- and not to do -- around pools and spas.) Share these safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.

-- Make sure your child knows never to dive into water, except when permitted by an adult who has checked for underwater objects and knows the water's depth.

-- Make sure kids know to stay away from pool and spa drains. Children have drowned by being trapped by powerful suction from a hot tub drain.

-- If you are going to be at the beach, teach children about rip currents. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until you escape the current, and then swim back to shore.

-- Explain why children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats, docks or near bodies of water -- and you should wear them, too, as an example.

Now you're ready! Go out and have some fun!

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)

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